3 Key Messages From…. Caliph’s Address to Ladies in Holland
His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the 5th Khalifa (Caliph), is currently touring Holland. Earlier today His Holiness addressed the ladies of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in their separate marquee and explained the need to ‘become a friend of God’. Here are some of the key messages His Holiness elucidated upon in a passionate speech. We urge readers to benefit from the full translation once available. This only means to serve as a brief preview:
Accepting the Promised Messiah
His Holiness said that you
have accepted the Promised Messiah (as), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, to show
obedience to the commandments of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). The Holy Prophet
(sa) commanded that people should accept and follow the teaching of the Messiah
of latter days, when Muslim scholars would have distorted the teachings of
Islam. The Holy Prophet (sa) laid such great emphasis on accepting the Promised
Messiah, because he would appear to rejuvenate the true teachings of Islam in
the world. Therefore, this is a prime opportunity for those who follow the Promised
Messiah (as), who has now come, to practice the true teachings of Islam.
Those who verbally pledge
allegiance to the Promised Messiah (as) and then do not follow his teachings in
practice should be extremely concerned about their condition. Those who leave
their countries and emigrate to the West seeking religious freedom and asylum, yet
when in the West, forsake the teachings of Islam, have reasons to be extremely worried.
Such people’s condition is similar to dried up branches of a tree. Every
gardener removes dead branches when pruning the tree. So do not become
spiritually dead. This should be a matter of great concern for those, who claim
to accept the Promised Messiah (as), but do not follow his teachings. Mere lip
service is not what is required. Rather, it is practical actions and true
following.
Do not think if I am
highlighting shortcomings in women it only applies to them and does not apply
to men. In fact, men have greater shortcomings. If husbands at home were
displaying high moral standards, their wives would automatically reform
themselves seeing the role model of their husbands. Husbands therefore should
reform themselves.
Always be mindful of God
Almighty. Before taking any action, just reflect that will this action of mine
lead to the pleasure of God or will I anger God with my deed? By taking the
oath of allegiance to the Promised Messiah (as), we pledge to give precedence
to our faith over this material world. On the Day of Judgement, we will be held
to account for our actions, deeds and pledges.
A true believing woman
values and enjoys the material blessings of this world such as nice clothing
and fine jewellery; but should not make these the objective of her existence.
She should not seek these material things at the expense of her faith.
A true believing woman
focuses to excel in piety and righteousness, she seeks opportunities to serve
her faith and outshine others in making sacrifices for the cause of her faith.
The sphere of influence of
a believing woman is wide; with her pious practice, she can reform her children
and even her husband. Daughters always observe the practical example of their
mothers.
The
Importance of Prayers and the Qur’an
Make praying a centrepiece
of your life; it is the key step to seek God. When standing during prayers, it
should be evident from your stance that God is the true focus of your worship.
When bowing during prayer, you should be a picture of true humility. You should
experience the true awe of the majesty and grandeur of your God when
prostrating during prayers.
Recite the Holy Qur’an with a view to understand its message, then put the commandments of the Holy Qur’an in practice. The essence of the Holy Qur’an is ‘Taqwah’ or in other words being righteous. Faith begins with this righteousness and also with purity.
Those believing women, who
understand the true essence of the teachings of the Holy Qur’an, grasp the
philosophy of “Haya” or modesty. When the true concept of modesty is
understood, it becomes easy to practice the commandment of purdah (covering and
modesty). In these western countries, it requires a concerted and determined
effort to cultivate God fearing righteousness in our thought processes and
conduct.
Making
God Your Friend
Make a true and concerted
effort to make God your Friend. When God becomes your Friend the opponents of
this world cannot harm you as God’s angels will protect you from every
adversary. To become a friend of God, you need to become focused on the acts of
worship such as prayers. You need to follow the commandments of God Almighty in
your everyday life such as dressing appropriately. You need to demonstrate with
your practical example that you follow the moral code of conduct taught by God
Almighty and fulfil the rights of God and His people.
To make God your Friend,
you have to follow His commands. And you should not just reform yourselves,
rather you need to connect your children with God as well. You would have to
undergo an immense struggle of the self to exert all your energy to connect yourself
with God and reform.